Two jailed for Stephen Lawrence murder

Gary Dobson and David Norris: Face jail terms of at least 12 years for the murder of Stephen Lawrence

The two racist killers of Stephen Lawrence were today jailed for a minimum of 29 years for "a terrible and evil crime which scarred the conscience of the nation".

Gary Dobson and David Norris were led to the cells sneering and defiant after being sentenced for their part in the stabbing of the 18-year-old A-level student almost two decades ago.

Dobson was jailed for a minimum of 15 years and two months and Norris for at least 14 years and three months for the murder by a gang of white youths in Eltham.

In dramatic scenes at the Old Bailey, Mr Justice Treacy said at least three or four other killers are still at large and appealed to relatives to break their silence. He summoned Det Ch Insp Clive Driscoll to the front of the packed courtroom and urged him to keep up the hunt for the other gang members.

Passing sentence, he said: "A totally innocent 18-year-old youth on the threshold of a promising life was brutally cut down in the street in front of eye-witnesses by a racist, thuggish gang." He said the murder was committed "for no other reason than racial hatred".

Outside court the Lawrence family huddled together in relief then went out to be greeted by dozens of supporters packing the street.

Scotland Yard Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe vowed to track down the other suspects. "The other people involved in the murder of Stephen Lawrence should not rest easily intheir beds," he said. Police believe that there may be seven more suspects in the murder case in addition to the two convicted killers - including Neil Acourt, 36, his brother Jamie, 35, and Luke Knight, also 35.

Both Dobson, 36, and Norris, 35, were treated as juveniles because they were under 18 when the killing took place.The judge - reflecting on what he admitted might appear a lenient sentence to some people - said he was "restrained" by an Act of Parliament in place in 1993.

It was not until 2003 that higher minimum tariffs were introduced, particularly for racist street attacks.

Stephen was stabbed through the heart by a gang of young white racists who charged at him and his friend Duwayne Brooks, yelling: "What, what, n*****. The pair had been waiting for a bus in Eltham in April 1993 and although Stephen was able to stumble 100 yards up the road with his friend he collapsed and died in the arms of a couple coming home from church.

A day after the jury unanimously convicted both defendants of murder, Dobson stood with his hands shoved deep inside his pockets as the judge told him that he had "repeatedly lied to keep Norris's name away from the police".

Addressing both killers, the judge told them: "You did not know Stephen Lawrence or Duwayne Brooks. Neither of them had done you any harm, threatened or offended you in any way, apart from being black and making their way peaceably to the bus stop on their way home.

"At least one of your group was armed with a lethal knife that night. I am sure you were aware of that."A racist taunt, followed by a group charge towards the two young black men and then the swallowing up of Stephen, surrounded and put to the ground by you all."

The judge said he could not be sure if either of the two killers had actually held the knife that killed Stephen.But while the blade was plunged deep into the teenager's vulnerable chest the rest of the gang held back on their kicks and blows clearly showing they knew the knife was being used.

"The cohesive nature of the group tells its story," the judge went on.

"The way in which the attack took place strongly suggests to me that your group, if not actively seeking out a victim, was prepared if the oppor-tunity arose to attack in the way that you did."

Dobson received a longer sentence than his co-defendant because he is currently serving a five-year term for cannabis dealing and was not due to be released until this August.

As the killers were led to the cells they turned to wave to their families and friends packing the upstairs public gallery. One man yelled at the judge and jury: "Shame on all of you."

Mr Justice Treacy then called forward Mr Driscoll, who led the investigation that finally brought some of the killers to justice.

The judge said the Macpherson Report's devastating criticism of institutional racism in the initial murder inquiry had "shamed and humiliated the Met".

But he now praised the "hard work and professionalism" of detectives, scientists and prosecutors in the most recent investigation.

He added: "At least a measure of justice has been achieved at last but the convictions of Dobson and Norris will not, I hope, close the file on this matter. On the evidence before the court there are still three or four of the killers of Stephen Lawrence at large.

"Just as advances in science have brought two people to justice, I hope the Met will be alert to future lines of inquiry - not only based on developments in science but perhaps also information from those who have been silent so far, wherever they may be."

Stephen's friend Mr Brooks, 37, now a Lib-Dem councillor in Lewisham, said today: "I'm happy we have a guilty verdict but I hope more than ever this in-spires the re-investigating team to bring the rest of the suspects to justice.

"For me, it's partial closure but it can't be full closure because all the suspects have not been found guilty.

"They should be in prison and their parents, who have given evidence, if they are found to have been lying, should also be sent to prison."